I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. (2 Thessalonians 3:17, ESV)
It is not a bad thing if, in the adjustments of 2020, you relearned the power of correspondence. We are a texting people, a tweeting people, a posting people, but when we exercise the time and attention of writing people, we may be encouragers and mentors and challengers.
Arnold Palmer was especially known among golfers for the work of his hands at the writing desk. Arnie had an army wherever he played his beloved game, but he may have gained his biggest fans when they read the words of the Hall of Famer that had been delivered to their mailbox.
In 2014, Nate Marcoulier was a newly minted high school graduate when, among his gifts, there was a letter from The King. Requested by Nate’s brother, the letter congratulated Nate on his graduation and his several wins as a junior golfer. Then Arnie added five “life rules” that would serve any golfer well:
– Courtesy and respect are timeless principles, as well as good manners.
– Knowing when to speak is just as important as knowing what to say.
– Know how to win by following the rules.
– Know the importance of when and how to say thank you.
– Never underestimate the importance of a good education.
Leading men and women of the past built time for correspondence into their daily schedules. Perhaps this is a spiritual discipline we have never considered.Arnold Palmer, though not writing with the transcendent authority of a Spirit-led apostle, understood the purpose and power of thoughtful correspondence. Arnie made a habit of sending congratulatory letters to tour winners. “Getting a letter from Mr. Palmer is special,” Jason Day said a few months after The King passed away in 2016. “You feel he did it only for you even though you know he did it for every single winner on the PGA Tour. Every single winner.”
So imagine what it must have been like to get a letter from Peter, Paul, James, or John. Even Jude’s short letter contained spiritual dynamite. The souls of those who read their words originally must have been greatly moved—buoyed, corrected, charged, renewed. More than that, their words have continued to meet the souls of God’s readers throughout the centuries, so that you and I are changed by them as well.
We are not off the mark then to take up a pen (or perhaps a phone or a computer keyboard) for a purposeful correspondence now. In fact, leading men and women of the past built time for correspondence into their daily schedules. Perhaps this is a spiritual discipline we have never considered. What words can we extend to others that would encourage their faith and ignite their God-honoring actions? These are words we can write, even if we are not “writers”; these are words we can say, even if we are not “speakers.” Write and speak from your heart as Jesus has shaped it to love others deeply.
—
Jeff Hopper
January 6, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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